'I missed gold, but I aim for 10 medals': Malleswari's renewed mission post meeting with PM Modi
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Synopsis
Karnam Malleswari, India's first female Olympic medalist, expressed her joy after a meeting with PM Modi, which renewed her commitment to training young athletes. She aims to win 10 medals in weightlifting and enhance India's Olympic success.
Key Takeaways
- Karnam Malleswari met PM Modi, reigniting her mission.
- She runs an academy for underprivileged children.
- Malleswari aims to train 10 medal-winning athletes.
- She was the first Indian woman to medal at the Olympics.
- Her meeting with Modi lasted about 10 minutes.
New Delhi, April 15 (NationPress) Karnam Malleswari, India's pioneering female Olympic medalist, radiated happiness after her inaugural one-on-one meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. She characterized this encounter as a moment that rekindled her motivation to further contribute to the nation.
During his visit to Yamunanagar, Haryana, where the former world champion weightlifter has founded her academy, PM Modi engaged with the two-time world champion and praised her endeavors to cultivate young athletes.
Having hung up her weightlifting shoes in 2004, the 49-year-old, together with her husband Rajesh Tyagi, established her first academy in Yamunanagar, Haryana in 2017.
In an interview with IANS, Malleswari shared that she had invited PM Modi to her academy; however, due to his packed schedule, he graciously asked her to meet him instead.
"I have an academy in Yamunanagar, and I had requested the Prime Minister to visit. His (PM Modi's) schedule was very tight, so instead, he invited me to meet him. I was very happy to meet him. He said, 'You have done a great job for the country, and you are still doing wonderful work.'
"I informed him about my academy, where children from underprivileged families are being trained. PM sir said, ‘I know that.’ He bestowed his best wishes upon me, saying, 'What you are doing is a noble mission for the upcoming Olympics,'" Karnam recounted to IANS on Tuesday.
The former weightlifter, who currently serves as the Vice-Chancellor of Delhi Sports University, further mentioned that although she has encountered PM Modi multiple times at various events, this was her first personalized interaction with him.
"The meeting with the Prime Minister lasted about 7 to 10 minutes. He listened to me patiently—it wasn’t hurried at all. My husband and I were both present, and he heard us out with great attention. While I have met him at events before, this was my first one-on-one opportunity. He was incredibly positive and supportive. This meeting rejuvenated my spirit, making me feel that I can contribute even more to the country," she added.
Karnam, a two-time world champion and a two-time Asian Games silver medalist, proudly holds the title of being the first Indian woman to earn an Olympic medal, having secured the bronze at the Sydney 2000 Olympics.
"I shared with him that I had narrowly missed the gold medal in Sydney (Olympics), and I have now set a target of winning 10 medals. Fueled by that ambition, I established my academy. My aspiration is to contribute towards a more robust India by ensuring we secure as many medals as possible in weightlifting at the Olympics," she stated.
Karnam has been honored with numerous prestigious accolades from the Indian government, including the Arjuna Award (1994), Khel Ratna (1999), and the Padma Shri (1999).
